The UN General Assembly adopted this observance through resolution 70/203 in December 2015, at Japan's initiative. November 5 was chosen for its link to the Japanese folk tale of "the burning of the rice sheaves," recounting how Hamaguchi Goryo saved his village from a tsunami in 1854 by setting his rice harvest alight to warn and guide villagers to safety. The date was deliberately chosen to celebrate proactive, life-saving action rather than commemorate tragedy. The day encourages governments and communities to invest in early warning systems, evacuation planning, and education on how to respond to earthquakes that may trigger tsunamis. Countries and disaster-risk-reduction organizations mark the day with simulation drills, school and coastal-community awareness campaigns, and information on the natural warning signs of an approaching tsunami.